Tayda Leben, a performance artist from New York City, was one of the first people to demonstrate their support for the HIV Equal campaign by having a test and photo done.

Tayda Leben, a performance artist from New York City, was one of the first people to demonstrate their support for the HIV Equal campaign by having a test and photo done.

Photo: Jarret Liotta

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"Titania Steele" of New York City hosted Saturday's HIV Equal event at the World Health Initiative in Norwalk.

"Titania Steele" of New York City hosted Saturday's HIV Equal event at the World Health Initiative in Norwalk.

Photo: Jarret Liotta

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Welcoming attendees to the HIV Equal event Saturday in Norwalk were, from left, Carmen Washington of Meriden, and Peter Senftleben, Miss Holly K and Julien Aledsandres, all from New York City.

Welcoming attendees to the HIV Equal event Saturday in Norwalk were, from left, Carmen Washington of Meriden, and Peter Senftleben, Miss Holly K and Julien Aledsandres, all from New York City.

Photo: Jarret Liotta

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U.S. Rep. Jim Himes attended the HIV Equal event Saturday in Norwalk, and was among those being tested for the virus. The test requires a quick swab of the inside of the mouth and results are available within 20 minutes. less

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes attended the HIV Equal event Saturday in Norwalk, and was among those being tested for the virus. The test requires a quick swab of the inside of the mouth and results are available within ... more

Photo: Jarret Liotta

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Dr. Gary Blick, left, chief medical officer of the World Health Initiative, and Jack Mackenroth, director of public relations for the HIV Equal photo campaign, which came to Norwalk on Saturday.

Dr. Gary Blick, left, chief medical officer of the World Health Initiative, and Jack Mackenroth, director of public relations for the HIV Equal photo campaign, which came to Norwalk on Saturday.

Photo: Jarret Liotta

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Stigma is out of the picture for new HIV-testing campaign

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The new "HIV Equal" photo campaign is focusing on removing the stigma -- the fears and judgment -- still often equated with being tested for the virus.

A launch party for the campaign was held Saturday at World Health Clinicians in Norwalk, which is supporting the campaign. The event included visits from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, both of whom got tested to show their support for the initiative.

"This work of stopping the stigma to detecting and treating HIV/AIDS is one of the paramount public health challenges of our time," Blumenthal said.

He called the work of the WHC "pioneering and priority work in a very difficult area," adding, "I want to be here to support it."

Approximately 250 people came to the reception, and about 150 not only got tested for HIV themselves, but supported the campaign by having themselves photographed.

"It's not about if someone is positive or negative," said Jack Mackenroth, director of public relations for WHC, who came up with the idea with his partner, photographer Thomas Evans. "It's basically showing your support for anti-stigmatizing HIV."

"One of the things we've always wanted to do was reach out to youth," said Dr. Gary Blick, chief medical officer with WHC, in particular males between the ages of 18 and 34.

He said there are approximately 250,000 people in the United States who unknowingly carry the HIV virus and spread it. Of these, 91 percent are younger than 35.

"There are 50,000 new infections each year," Blick said. "Our goal is to reduce the infection rate in Connecticut and in the United States."

More importantly, Blick said that if people can be diagnosed and treated, life expectancy is 50.8 years for someone at age 20, which is considerable. Further, by being on the treatment medications, the risk of spreading the virus to a sexual partner is reduced by 96 percent.

"People still die from AIDS regularly and we don't want that to happen," Blick said. "We want them to get tested regularly."

"Gary and his team are just absolutely relentless and tireless in this effort," Blumenthal said, "and I want to thank them for all this great work."

"It's important to know your status," said Sam Ferrigno of Norwalk, who got tested and enjoyed posing for a photo to prove it. "It's to protect yourself and to protect the other people you let in your life as a lover or a partner."

The Rev. Daniel Schlorff, a hospice chaplain from Stamford, was among those who got tested and was photographed.

"I wanted to get tested and as a member of the clergy, I wanted to kind of normalize the stigma around HIV/AIDS," he said.

Evans said they'd been working on the HIV Equal campaign for four months, and hope to bring it to other states and eventually around the world.

"It's huge," he said of the initial response through social media. "We're all over the place."